Did OxyContin Labeling Change Help Fuel Opioid Epidemic? Republicans Want More Data From FDA

Members of House Energy & Commerce Committee reiterate concerns that 2001 label revision may have been used to help promote higher dosage and longer-term prescriptions of OxyContin. J&J boosts opioid litigation settlement offer to $5bn.

Prescription bottle for Oxycodone tablets and pills on metal table
Members of Congress question role of OxyContin label change in opioid crisis • Source: Shutterstock

Republican members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee are putting renewed focus on a 2001 labeling change the US Food and Drug Administration made to Purdue Pharma L.P.’s OxyContin (oxycodone), requesting additional data from the agency on opioid dosages and durations of dispensed prescriptions for the pain reliever.

The agency responded to a request from the committee for information about the label change last year, but Greg Walden, Republican leader of the E&C Committee; Brett Guthrie, Republican leader...

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